HEALTH

PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor: MARYAM KHAN
OCT, 2020
DEFINITION: Health psychology is a branch of
psychology that focuses on how mental, emotional,
and social factors affect a person's physical well-
being. This field, also sometimes referred to as
medical psychology, also focuses on a patient's
mental and emotional reaction to an illness or
recovery from an illness.
HISTORY: Health psychology has been acknowledged formally as a
sub-discipline of the field of psychology Since 1978, with the
formation of the American Psychological Association’s Division of
Health Psychology Division 38). Psychology’s interest in general
health and illness, however, extends to the very beginning of The
discipline itself. Many of the earliest “psychologists,” for example,
Wilhelm Wundt, William James, and Ermann von Helmholtz. were
trained in medicine; understandably, the study of behavior and
physiology were closely linked.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, it had become evident that a
more comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treatment, and
prevention would be necessary if we were to make serious
progress in controlling the growing epidemic of chronic disease
and the dramatically escalating costs associated with “high-tech”
medicine. Although psychologists were employed in medical
schools beginning in the early years of the twentieth century, it was
not until the 1960s and 1970s that significant numbers became
employed as medical school faculty.
National organizations representing health psychology also have been
established throughout the world (in Spain, England, Australia,
Germany, Sweden, Japan,to name but a few). An International
Association of Health Psychology was established and the first
International Congress of Health Psychology was held in Tokyo
in 1993. Expanding the mission of psychologists into the prevention
and control of chronic disease and the promotion of health at the
individual, occupational, and public health levels will provide a
wealth of emerging opportunities for this discipline in the new
millennium.
OBJECTIVE: Health psychology is a rapidly growing
field. As increasing numbers of people seek to take
control of their own health, more and more people
are seeking health-related information and
resources.
Health psychologists are focused on educating people
about their own health and well-being, so they are
perfectly suited to kill this rising demand.
Health psychology can benefit individuals in a number of
different ways. Many professionals in this field work
specifically in the areas of prevention and focus on
helping people prevent health problems before they
start. This may include helping people maintain a
healthy weight, avoid risky or unhealthy behaviors
and maintain a positive outlook that can combat stress,
depression, and anxiety.
TYPES OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGIST: In general, there
are four main types of health psychology careers including:
1) Clinical health psychology is an area of health
psychology that focuses on treating individuals. Professionals
pursuing clinical health psychology careers often focus on
how an individual's lifestyle and behavior might affect his
overall health. Clinical health psychologists will also usually
work with individuals to help change bad habits or
overcome lifestyle problems that may be affecting their
physical health.
2) Community health psychology focuses on the health of a
community as a whole. Individuals pursuing community
health psychology careers will typically study the prevalence
of diseases in certain communities, and what might cause
them.
3) Occupational health psychology focuses on the
individual's job and his overall state of health. Professionals
working in this area might work with companies and businesses
to help create happier and healthier employees. This might
involve restructuring workplace policies or counseling
individual employees.
4) Public health psychology is concerned with public
and government health policies and programs. These
types of professionals might work with low-income
individuals, influence government health policies, or
help organize public health awareness campaigns.
SCOPE: Health psychologists are scientist-practitioners and work
across primary, secondary, and tertiary health care sectors. Many
are working within hospital settings such as, cardiology, heart/lung
transplantation, respiratory, diabetes, general surgery, oncology, pain,
and renal services. Others work in primary healthcare organizations
(PHOs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and in private
practice. There is huge scope for health psychologists working in these
areas from direct clinical delivery of psychological treatments to
consultation with other colleagues in the health care system and
relevant stakeholders.
Health psychologists work with individuals, groups,
families, in the context of improving the health (physical
and emotional) outcomes and long-term condition
management of their condition. In order to practice as a
psychologist, practitioners need to be registered with the
Psychologists Board.